Over the last forty years or so, the only thing I’ve been more obsessed with than excellent music is the power of community. In fact, what is music other than the artistic expression and collective outpouring of various collections of people? At its best, music reflects our hopes and fears, our longings, and our laments. It flows from the abundance of our hearts and brings our culture with it. As I look back, from the counterculture of the 60s to the alternative and punk scenes of my teen years, to the music of escape and excess, to today’s fragmented and toxic civic landscape, I’m ready for another Spiritual revolution. I know that it starts with me, but it very quickly leads me to you, and I’m gonna have some records in my arms when I get to you!

“Some people strive to be heard or seen, while others are simply chosen because they are the right person for the job.  The point man to help us sort through and better understand the ‘weird world of CCM’ is clearly John J. Thompson. His first-hand knowledge of all the nuances of this genre, articulate presentation, and straightforward analysis, is as thought-provoking as it is enjoyable. John has a natural gift for communicating and thoughtfully packaging his message in a way that is both honest and challenging, and a heartfelt conviction to spur his audience on to appreciate and embrace ‘the good, the true and the beautiful.”’  – Michael W. Stand (The Altar Boys, Clash of Symbols, and the Altar Billies)

I started “speaking” publicly back when I was just eighteen years old. I was still in high school but was already managing the music department at a local Christian bookstore. I got invited to speak at area youth groups often. That quickly lead to invitations to speak to larger youth assemblies, conferences, festivals, and more. I was even invited to address a group of Catholic parents who were especially concerned about how to talk to their kids about music and movies. In many cases, I was probably invited to come to churches to talk about “the evils of rock and roll” or to introduce young people to Christian music as an alternative to “secular” music. But I very quickly found that learning how to dig deeper into the subject was both more interesting and more valuable to everyone involved. I think that’s why I kept getting asked back. Music, when considered carefully, was like a greenhouse for the seeds of discernment to take root and grow. Yet so many treated it as mere decoration. I knew we could do better.

 

True Tunes; the record store, magazine, concert venue, and website I founded as a kid, was really a gathering place for a group of people – both locally around the Chicago area and virtually around the world – who were willing to dig into those deeper questions. We were drawn by spiritual longing, excited about modern and classic music, fascinated by challenging art and haunted by the idea that Jesus was somehow still interested in us. I know that the word “conversation” has become quite stylish in recent years, but there’s really no better way to describe what it was like to hang out, for hours on end, with a group of diverse people on the fringes of culture, listening to music and talking about what it all meant. I’ve written books, thousands of reviews and articles, made music of my own, produced, managed, and consulted other artists, and been a pastor for over two decades now. My life has really been one long conversation, and I am so excited to see this part of it re-activated.

“We hosted John for a weekend of events and could not have been more pleased. His presentation on the history of the Jesus Movement, the music it spawned, and the way it shapes our culture today was captivating.” (Daniel First)

Between the launch of the True Tunes Podcast, where I sit with artists, producers, and songwriters, and take time to really explore the creative and spiritual process of making art and pursuing truth and beauty, the articles and books I have been writing, and now the live events I will be presenting around the country, I hope we can regather a significant remnant of the amazing tribe we had formed twenty-five or thirty years ago, and welcome an entirely new generation into the mix. I am excited about the renewed interest in The Jesus Movement – and Jesus Music in particular – and I am honored to have been so prominently featured in the recent Lionsgate film The Jesus Music as a historian and commentator. I am also beyond thrilled to see Electric Jesus, a hilarious – and surprisingly emotional – romantic comedy that I have been involved with for over six years finally being released widely this fall. These movies seem to be triggering a renewed interest in the revival that swept a troubled world fifty years ago, and the sometimes strange alternate universe that revival left in its wake. We’ll talk about that, as well as what I believe is the lingering – and too often latent – power music has to revive us, empower us, embolden us, and move us to come alive in dark times.

These events will hopefully be a bit different than anything you’ve experienced before. I’ll share some stories and observations, and some actual music. I’ll play some songs from vinyl records (if at all possible,) and maybe even on my guitar. In some cities, I may have a special guest or two join me for a conversation, and the recordings of these may make it onto the podcast at some point. Every event will evolve into an actual conversation with everyone in the room and a time for all to mingle, hang out, hear about what we are all working on, maybe even pass some tapes around.

“John has become one of the most authoritative voices on the history of Christian music. He takes us on a journey that is informative, eye opening and entertaining. His passion stems from the direct impact that this music has had in and on his life. Such a fun time hearing stories and observations of a musical world that has impacted millions of people worldwide.” (Tim Taber, The Prayer Chain)

I hope you’ll join me at one of these events in your area. Or if I’m not scheduled to be anywhere near you, maybe you can find a way to book me! This “True Tunes Live” Tour works in a variety of venues. On my previous tour, I spoke at colleges, churches, breweries, coffee houses, theaters, homes, libraries, back yards, distilleries, chocolate factories, parks, festivals, bookstores, restaurants, and more. If you represent a church or university, reach out to me personally at the contact form on this page if you’d like to explore bringing me to your area. I am also excited to be working with the Porchlight Arts network for house shows and smaller events. They make hosting events simple, clear, and usually very successful. You can find out more about hosting me for an event by clicking HERE. And make sure to subscribe to the email list here so that you’ll find out about future events.

If you’ve been listening to the True Tunes Podcast, you’ve heard me talking about the spiritual and communal potential of music and the challenge to help each other “listen to better music and listen to music better.” Can we sing along with the good, the true, and the beautiful – unencumbered by imagined boundaries and unafraid to allow art to work on us? I’ve explored these ideas with people like Amy Grant, Buddy Miller, The Gray Havens, Rich Mullins, Charlie Peacock, Phil Keaggy, Waterdeep, Sandra McCracken, Liz Vice, Myron Butler, Marc Byrd, Kevin Max, Phil Madeira, and dozens more.

Now I want to talk about them with you.

 

“John Thompson is passionate about and engages his audience with a fascinating history of music and its place for the believer and in the church.” (Micah Mobley, Lead Pastor Faith Community Church of God Huntington, Indiana)

For a complete list of dates watch the EVENTS tab at TrueTunes.com

DOWNLOAD THE TOUR POSTER HERE

BOOK JJT THROUGH PORCHLIGHT HERE